Eastern Connecticut Ballet is delighted to welcome master teacher Damara Bennett as Director of Children’s Programming. Ms. Bennett joins the leadership team which includes Executive Director Lise Reardon, Artistic Director Gloria Govrin and Associate Director Krystin Dixon. Ms. Bennett will be teaching and overseeing all levels of ECB’s curriculum.

Lise Reardon reflects, “Ms. Bennett is beyond a doubt one of the most impressive and inspirational teachers I have ever encountered. In the classroom, Damara shares her vast knowledge and professionalism. She encourages student growth through humor and kindness, while modeling hard work and dedication. We are thrilled Damara has found her way to ECB and is committed to our dancers.”

Ms. Bennett’s early dedication and talent won her a Ford Foundation Scholarship from the School of American Ballet. In 1971, Ms. Bennett joined San Francisco Ballet. In 1987, Ms. Bennett founded City Ballet School in San Francisco, where she served as artistic director. Many of Ms. Bennett’s students have gone on to dance with professional companies such as Miami City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin, Les Ballet de Monte Carlo, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Northern Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet on Broadway, and in feature films like Center Stage.

From 2003-2013, Ms. Bennett was the director of the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Her responsibilities included establishing and overseeing the school curriculum for the school as well as training teachers, managing the apprentice and pre-professional programs, selecting the repertoire for the annual school performance and the apprentice outreach performances. In addition, Ms. Bennett taught all levels including pre-ballet and company class.

Most recently, Ms. Bennet served as a faculty member of San Francisco Ballet, managing curriculum and teaching levels 1-8. She has also been a guest teacher on the faculty of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, working with all levels.

Please join ECB in welcoming Ms. Bennett.

ECB's fall classes for all ages three through pre-professional and adults begin on September 4. For a full schedule of classes and registration information, visit www.easternctballet.org, call 860-739-7899 or visit ECB studios at 435 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, Conn.